One minute, you are in a small town where the neighbors are friendly, the streets are walkable, and every community has kids out playing in the yards. The next minute you are on Interstate 485, heading to work at a Fortune 500 company, to enjoy some of the finest dining in the country, or to spend a day at one of North Carolina's most famous attractions. Welcome to Pineville, North Carolina.
Pineville calls itself the "biggest small town around," and rightfully so. Like many Charlotte suburbs it is a tight-knit community where people build lifelong friendships at farmer's markets, baseball & softball games, and Christmas parades. However, the town that sits just southwest of Charlotte and along the South Carolina border is also home to Interstate 485. For this reason, Pineville is a perfect blend of small town charm with all the perks that come with living in the big city. It is essentially a commuter's paradise.
History
Pineville's biggest claim to historic fame is that the 11th President of the United States was born there in 1795. The home where James K. Polk was born no longer stands, but the area is now a state historic site with reconstructed buildings and furnishings similar to what the Polk family might have had at that time.
During the big Charlotte gold rush, Pineville became a mule trading center called Morrow's Turnout. By 1852, it was a railroad town, but the people who ran the railroad did not like the community's name. Because there were many large pine trees in the area, they renamed it Pineville and incorporated it in 1873. As the decades passed, Dover Yarn Mills built a cotton mill there, and the area now known as Historic Downtown Pineville became a busy commercial center.
Quick Facts
- Population: 8,923
- When it comes to land, Pineville truly is a small town. The entire area encompasses 3.9 square miles.
- During the 1960s, First Lady Ladybird Johnson visited Pineville. She helped dedicate the site that was President Polk's birthplace.
- Despite its size, Pineville provides its own police force, electric company, fire department, sanitation service, and telecommunications.
- The area where Pineville sits is often referred to as "The Waxhaws," because the Native American Waxhaw Tribe once resided there. Smallpox killed most of the members, and any survivors broke off to live with other tribes in the area.
- Pineville has its own hospital that is part of the Atrium Health system. The hospital offers services like neurosurgery, radiation and surgical oncology, and advanced cardiopulmonary services.
Local Attractions
One thing anyone who visits Charlotte learns quickly is that it is a major center for shopping, dining out, sports, entertainment, and family fun. From professional football games and NASCAR to amusement parks and the largest malls in the state, everyone will find something they love to do here. However, don’t hop on over to the big city just yet. Pineville has its own shopping, restaurants, and attractions.
Dining
- Waldhorn Restaurant– The Charlotte area has a rich German history, and today, Pineville is the perfect place to grab a delicious authentic German meal. The husband and wife professional chef team at Waldhorn Restaurant have German backgrounds, and every bit of it shines through in their flavorful food. In addition to its beautiful location and amazing food, Waldhorn hosts live bands, trivia nights, Oktoberfest celebrations, and a beer club.
- Global Restaurant & Bar – This fine dining establishment has been in the Ballantyne area for a decade now. Whether you are taking out business clients or celebrating a special occasion, you won't be disappointed. Downstairs you will find a beautiful bar area, upstairs is white tablecloth dining and they even have a patio.
- Harper's – Harper's has three locations in the Carolinas, including one in Carolina Place Mall in Pineville. You can dine inside in front of an HDTV while you watch a Panthers game, or you can sit out on the patio and enjoy the mild Piedmont climate year-round. The restaurant serves a mix of American food items like burgers, salads, and, of course, Carolina BBQ.
- MJ Donuts – Located right outside downtown Pineville you will find MJ Donuts. If you are looking for a great tasting, no-frills donut shop, this is the best kept secret in the area!
- Nakato Japanese Restaurant – Newcomers are surprised to learn that the Charlotte area is home to many great sushi restaurants, one of which is Nakato Japanese Restaurant. It has a few locations in the city, including one in the Pineville area where you can watch the professionally-trained chefs work at the Hibachi grills and sushi bars.
Transportation
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport – Pineville is just about 16 miles away from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. One of the busiest airports in the country, approximately 46 million passengers fly through the airport on an annual basis.
- Charlotte Area Transit System – Pineville is also on three different Charlotte Area Transit System bus routes. They pick up and drop off at Carolina Place Mall. The LYNX light rail station is located on South Blvd in Pineville. Hop on the light rail here and it will take you through uptown Charlotte all the way to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Shopping
- Carolina Place Mall – Unlike most small towns, Pineville actually has its own mall which attracts shoppers from all over Charlotte. Carolina Place is home to stores like Dillard’s, Belk, JCPenney, Sephora, Dick's Sporting Goods, and dozens of restaurants.
- Historic Downtown Pineville – For shopping on a smaller scale, head down to Historic Downtown Pineville for an experience that is less mall and more Main Street. From popular antique shops to delicious bakeries, there are several stores and restaurants here to enjoy.
- Furniture Shops – North Carolina has a reputation for being the "Furniture Capital of the World," and a visit to Pineville is proof of that. Several stores in town specialize in home furnishings, including Tyndall Furniture Galleries, Good's Home Furnishings, and Bassett Furniture Stores - Pineville.
Things To Do
- Funtasticks – If you have kids, Funtasticks is one place you must visit. It has go-karts, thee miniature golf courses, batting cages, a snack bar, bumper boats, an arcade, and so much more.
- President James K. Polk Historic Site – You can’t visit Pineville without learning a little something about the past, and the President James K. Polk Historic Site is one of the best places to start. It features a log home, barn, and visitors center and museum that highlights the late President's accomplishments. It also has costumed reenactors, and hosts events for people of all ages.
- AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 – Just across the interstate from Pineville is a 22-screen AMC theater. It shows the latest movies and serves up hot food beyond your average theater snacks.
- Pineville Ice House – Ice skating is popular in Pineville, thanks to the Pineville Ice House. It offers youth and adult hockey, skating school, public ice skating, figure skating instruction and coaching, camps, clinics, and you can even rent the facility for birthday parties.
- AR Workshop - Get creative at this DIY workshop! Sign up for a workshop where you can create a one-of-a-kind craft for your home. They supply everything for you and have teachers that take you through each project step-by-step. All skill levels welcome and they even have kid workshops available.
Real Estate Information
Pineville is home to many peaceful new and established neighborhoods that welcome commuters from Charlotte home after a hard day at work. You will find plenty of families, a few single professionals, and retired grandparents living in each of them. Many of them sit against wooded backdrops with tree-lined streets and immaculate landscaping that emphasize the Piedmont's natural beauty. Features like basements, rocking chair front porches, and community parks and walking trails are also plentiful.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of